“A heartfelt defense,” Keats said, clearly unmoved. “But rebels know how to manipulate those around them.”
Morelli tipped his head back, eyes on the ceiling as he said, “You’re digging at nothing, Keats.”
Cregon shifted in his chair beside Carver. “If Carver had concerns about Amryn’s loyalty, he would have shared them.”
“Perhaps,” Keats said. “Although Carver wouldn’t be the first man to be fooled by a pretty face.”
Carver’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll thank you not to pay any attention to the prettiness of my wife’s face.”
Morelli snorted. Cregon’s lips twitched.
Keats’s dark brows knit together. “You’re defensive of her.”
“Of course I am. She’s my wife.”
“She was also a traitor. How well do you truly know her?”
“I know she’s not a traitor,” Carver said, aggravation rising.
“She could be manipulating you.”
“She’s not.”
Keats raised an eyebrow. “How am I to trust that, when she shares your bed?”
Carver stiffened.
“That was uncalled for,” Morelli said at once, his tone darkening.
“It’s not,” Keats snapped back, his eyes never leaving Carver’s face. “You would be asking the same thing, Morelli, if it was anyone but Carver.” He glanced at Cregon, who sat rigidly beside Carver. “You know I’m right, High General. These questions must be asked.”
Cregon frowned, but didn’t say anything. And in that growing silence, Carver’s skin grew too tight. What would Keats say if Carver admitted he’d never truly slept with his wife? He’d probably take it as a sign that Carver distrusted Amryn on some level. But Keats was the last person Carver would ever share such intimate details with. Especially when the man was being needlessly aggressive towards his wife.
He kept his voice as level as possible as he said, “Amryn has my complete trust.”
“Placing implicit trust in a former member of the Rising is unwise,” Keats said. “Any informant we gain is strictly monitored, and every word they say is weighed carefully.”
His jaw hardened. “She’s not an informant. She’s mywife. And as I already told you, she was never a true member of the Rising. She didn’t seek them out or make any vows to them.”
“Perhaps not, but they soughtherout. That means something.”
“They sought out herking, and he and her uncle asked her to assist the Rising in Esperance.”
Keats shook his head. “Semantics. The Rising saw an opportunity in utilizing her, and she agreed to help them. A traitor is a traitor.”
“She never had any direct contact with the rebels prior to arriving—”
“But we know she met with Samuel, and eventually Tam,” Keats interrupted. “And those were just the meetings you were informed of.” He lifted a hand. “Before you try to argue and say Amryn was working for the empire in the end, I’d like to remind you that you can’t account for every moment of your wife’s time in Esperance. She could have been meeting with Tam long before she came to you and the prince. Amryn could have approached youbecauseTam told her to do so. To influence you.”
Carver gritted his teeth. “Amryn betrayed the rebels to protect Argent.”
Keats huffed. “We see how well that turned out.”
Carver stopped breathing. His voice dropped low. “Say that again.”
Keats only stared, his eyes hard.
Morelli cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should—”
